50: Crazy Fifty Miles

As Lu Xuan expected, ten days later, he received a conscription order from the yamen.

“Grandmaster Lu, the County Magistrate has ordered that you come to the county yamen tomorrow to discuss important matters.”

The soldier who came to deliver the order was extremely respectful.

“Very well, I have been informed. Da Fu, see this officer out.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Grandmaster Lu, sorry for the intrusion!”

The county yamen didn't mention military conscription, which was clearly Wang Yuanhua's doing. Additionally, since he had become a Grandmaster, they were giving him Face.

However, if the war reached a stalemate, even if it wasn't West Mountain Village's turn to provide people this time, it would be their turn next time.

He needed to hurry with the purchase of armor and weapons.

Early the next morning, Lu Xuan arrived at the county yamen.

He thought he had arrived early, but to his surprise, more than half of the people were already there.

Most of those present were people who hadn't accepted the imperial court's requirements on that day and were merely auxiliary personnel.

There were also some new Faces, but most of them were elegantly dressed and young, with a hint of arrogance on their Faces, keeping themselves clearly separated from the others.

As soon as Lu Xuan entered, someone noticed him.

“So this is that young Grandmaster.”

“He was behind me that day, yet I never expected him to actually become a Grandmaster.”

“A true Genius.”

“Grandmaster Lu.”

“Good morning, Grandmaster Lu.”

“Good morning, everyone.”

One does not strike a smiling Face; Lu Xuan responded warmly.

Although most of these people only had Innate cultivation, many were loners or Jianghu wanderers. Making friends now might even allow him to recruit some for his own use later.

Lu Xuan and the others didn't have to wait long before Lu Ying arrived at the front of the hall.

“Greetings, everyone.”

Lu Ying still maintained the proper courtesy toward martial arts experts like Lu Xuan who were not under direct control.

The crowd also politely returned the greeting.

“I presume you all have guessed the purpose of inviting you here today.”

“The imperial court has been training troops for months and is prepared to use military force against the Barbarians to avenge the looting from months ago. This time, the Prince has ordered that within a fifty-mile radius of the Thousand Peaks Mountain Range's outskirts, there must be no trace of Barbarians.”

Hiss—

Everyone present gasped, making the room feel a bit warmer.

“My Lord, is it fifty miles, not five miles?”

A Grandmaster sitting near the front asked cautiously.

“Grandmaster Huang, this is the Prince's intent. As your humble servant delivering the order, I wouldn't dare add or subtract from it.”

Lu Xuan was also shocked when he heard fifty miles, surprised by the madness of the Prince of Zhennan.

Even before the Spiritual Qi recovery, advancing fifty miles was a difficult task. He remembered that back then, advancing twenty miles resulted in heavy casualties and could only be maintained for less than three days.

“Therefore, in this battle, everyone must do their utmost. Of course, the Prince will not mistreat you; if you want money, he will give money, and if you want cultivation Materials, he will give cultivation Materials.”

Clap, clap—

Lu Ying clapped his hands.

Several soldiers entered from outside, carrying trays in their hands.

“Distribute them to everyone.”

Soon, small booklets were handed out to everyone.

【Military Merit Exchange Booklet】

“This booklet records the treasures you can exchange for after obtaining military merit.”

Lu Xuan opened the booklet.

Ten minor merits for one bottle of qi and blood pills.

Ten minor merits for one bottle of Body Tempering Pills... ten major merits for one White Essence Spirit Pill.

Ten major merits for one White Essence Crimson Dragon Pill... ten major merits for a qi and blood pill Pill Formula.

When Lu Xuan flipped to the end, his eyes froze; he actually saw the qi and blood pill Pill Formula.

He then flipped a few more pages and found the Body Tempering Pill Pill Formula, and even Qi Condensation Pill formulas specifically for True Qi cultivation.

“This Prince of Zhennan is truly generous. These Pill Formulas might not be much to the nobility, but for Martial Artists who rose from the bottom and for martial arts families, they hold a fatal temptation.”

These people had shallow foundations and didn't have many channels to obtain any Legacy. Now that this channel was available, many would likely fight tooth and nail for this merit.

Furthermore, there were many precious medicinal herbs listed, even century-old herbs. It was just that the required merit was too much, making it not very cost-effective for Lu Xuan, but it was certainly a fatal temptation for others.

However, Lu Xuan planned to exchange for some medicinal herb seeds useful for True Qi condensation.

Currently, whether it was the Blood Ginseng or the qi and blood grass in his possession, they were all medicinal herbs that acted on tempering qi and blood. No matter how many years they grew, their essence wouldn't change; at most, the effect would be better, but they could only ultimately improve qi and blood strength.

“I assume everyone has seen the items inside and has found something they desire. I guarantee that if your merit is sufficient, you will be able to exchange for it.”

“My Lord, when do we set out?”

Some younger Martial Artists could no longer contain their joy and asked directly.

“You are not imperial soldiers after all, and acting together might lead to being restricted by regulations. Therefore, I have decided to let Grandmaster Li lead you in forming a temporary Martial Artist Camp. You will act as opportunities arise, with tasks posted daily for those capable to claim. Alternatively, you can independently kill Barbarian experts to exchange for merit, or collect great medicinal herbs—all of these can be exchanged for merit.”

“Your Lordship's arrangements are proper; we wouldn't dare disobey.”

“Good. Time waits for no one. You have only today to prepare. Tomorrow, come to the county yamen to set out with Grandmaster Li.”

“Yes!”

After leaving the county yamen, he originally wanted to talk with Wang Yuanhua, but with the army about to break camp, there were many matters to attend to. He only managed to say a few words before leaving.

Lu Xuan politely declined the banquet invitations from the others and walked alone down the long street.

The winter was cold, and there were not many pedestrians on the street.

He had intended to visit Azure Cloud Workshop, but unknowingly, he walked to Immortal Fate Pavilion.

Over the years, Lu Xuan hadn't visited Immortal Fate Pavilion many times. He had too many secrets, and before he had properly encountered the mysterious world of immortal cultivation, he didn't dare loiter in front of those Qi Refining Cultivators.

“Guest, what do you need?”

Although Lu Xuan wasn't wearing luxurious clothes, his otherworldly temperament and bright, majestic gaze ensured that no one dared to be negligent.

Immortal Fate Pavilion was called Immortal Fate Pavilion, but in reality, most of the items were ordinary. Except for the spirit testing stone and the occasionally released Immortal Brew, it was almost no different from the previous Duobao Merchant. Furthermore, there were almost no Cultivators in this pavilion; only during the annual Spiritual Root testing would one or two appear here.

Nevertheless, Lu Xuan was very cautious and rarely came.

“Just looking around.”

“I see that you have a dignified appearance and spirited eyes, Guest. You must be an expert with successful cultivation.”

“Does a shop assistant like you also know physiognomy?”

“You flatter me, Guest. It's just that I've seen too many distinguished guests, so when I see you, my mind automatically goes there.”

“Hahaha, it seems I'll have to spend some money today. Introduce me to a bow and arrow, and a good saber.”

The assistant's eyes lit up, and he secretly rejoiced. He hadn't expected a few pleasant words to bring him an order, so he hurriedly began the introduction.

“Please look, Guest. This saber is a long saber forged by a Grandmaster smith.

The blade is infused with meteoric iron; it kills without being stained by blood and is sharp enough to cut a hair. It also has extremely strong conductivity for qi and blood as well as True Qi.”

Lu Xuan took it in his hand; the weight was just right. He hadn't changed his saber for many years. For this trip into the mountains to kill the enemy, he still needed a better weapon.

“How much is this saber?”

“Guest, this saber only costs one thousand two hundred taels.”

Lu Xuan was secretly startled; one thousand two hundred taels was no small sum.

“Guest, don't think it's expensive. Look at the Materials used for this saber; this is almost at cost price.”

Lu Xuan swung it a few more times and felt it barely met his requirements, so he bought it on the spot.

“Then will you look at the bows?”

He liked straightforward customers like Lu Xuan the most.

“Let's see.”

When Lu Xuan emerged from Immortal Fate Pavilion, he had already bought a saber and a powerful bow.

“I suppose I'm prepared now.”

Lu Xuan shook his head, skipped Azure Cloud Workshop, and returned directly to West Mountain Village.